moved from Cerebus discussion -- the morality fork

[En1gma]

Again, respectfully... these are the morals that their society lives by. They just so happen to be tied inseperably to the holy texts of their religion. The way we in the west live our lives is in stark contrast with their morals, and vice versa. Each person inside either system views the other in the same way. They look down on our morals in the same manner. Who is to say that either is correct, when one looks through the filter of one's own morality?

Therein lies the issue at the root of morality: who can say for sure that their way of life is correct, when they themselves have prejudices brought about by their own upbringing and the morals they have chosen/been taught? Can anyone actually be one hundred percent certain that the way one lives one's life is the best way?

I say no, it is relative to each person and culture.

[ntsheep]

At the moment, the best thing I think I can add to the conversation is this piece of advice,

It's never wrong to question, what's important are your answers.

[ntsheep]

This thread seems to have taken a turn towards a very heated discussion and yet is still on track on its core question. We judge what is moral based on what we've been taught from our parent, elders, community, etc. When two different cultures collide on what is morally right we look at it only from our point of view. It can sometimes be hard for us to try and understand the other because of this. If someone could prove that one way was correct, I'm sure we would all follow it. I myself try to believe in all faiths, religions, and the cultural norms of others. There are times though that it's hard because of what are my own core beliefs. I consider myself a Christian but believe in Wiccan and Pagan traditions. I have things about my Christian faith that I don't believe in or question is it really God's word, or the word of Man used to control others under the guise of God. A study of Christian history shows that there were times this has happened.

As mentioned by several members, when we have kids, we begin to question ourselves as to how we should teach them, what we should teach them, what we should allows others to teach them. We begin to see our life through their eyes and they see theirs through ours. Parents, community, culture, all play a part in how we grow. Weather the teaching is direct or not. I remember many years ago during one of the times there was a growing outcry against violent video games that those who wanted them banned blamed them for the moral degradation of kids at the time. In a game magazine I had, a person said that games weren't the problem. That there was and would always be violence in the world and no one thing was to blame except that individual parents had to make their own choices. For proof that games didn't make kids, and some adults violent. They asked this question, “What video games did Hitler play that drove him to go to war with the world?” Now we all know that there were no video games back then, but it did prove a point about the fact that there has always been violence. Instead of blaming games, we should have looked in the mirror first.

One thing history teaches us is that whether we believe it was right or wrong, when a society or culture loses its morals or beliefs, it falls. Beliefs may change and a new system emerges but what was there before is gone. New ideas replace the old ones. We change how we pass on our knowledge and morals to get rid of the old. In time the new system is in place and then we don't even question why we changed. As was pointed out already, it was once the moral thing to do to stone people, especially women, for adultery. Yet many cultures\religions that once believed that have changed. Why? Was it really because one man said “Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.” or was it a gradual change in the cultures thinking. Was it really a forced change? Did someone new come into power and just say we are not doing this anymore. Questions lead to more questions sometimes before we get an answer. Which brings me to what I posted above. None of us should feel bad for asking “What do you think?” We may have different answers but that doesn't mean only one is right. Being open to others and trying to understand them is a moral I think we all can benefit from.

[En1gma]

Well said, Sheep. For an ungulate with sanity issues that is.

This may by the first conversation on the subject that I've taken part in where the whole thing didn't devolve into full blown anarchy, and I'm immensely grateful for that, and that we as a community have the wherewithal to have such a conversation without judgment.

It's conversations like these that help all of society to move forward. These shifts in consciousness are subtle, but over time become more and more noticeable, as more and more people begin to realize exactly how relative their own walk through is compared to everyone else. As we develop as a society, we phase out those morals that no longer align with our current understanding of the way we should live, and these are replaced by values that are more suitable. This is the way it must be, humanity by its very nature is constantly in a state of change. It is up to us, those either teaching, or are still learning, to move consciousness forward by means of weeding out and inserting in those morals that we deem necessary.

But most importantly for me, it is most necessary for people to understand that our walks through our one life are unique, never before seen, and never to be duplicated. It is because of this, for me anyway, that we MUST learn to live AND LET live.

Thanks again everyone for hearing me out on this, and for the enlightening conversation!

[ntsheep]

Thanks En1gma, just wanted to show that even though most think of sheep as followers, we can think for ourselves. Even the craziest of us

[rabidbite]

Feb 12, 2015 14:20:59 GMT -5 ntsheep said:

We judge what is moral based on what we've been taught from our parent, elders, community, etc.

Holy cow, THIS started in the Cerberus thread? O.o



"Kooshy Kooshy koo! Who's a bloody baby! Who's a bloody baby! You are! Yes you are!"

From across the table Crush Rabbit tried to keep a straight face, "You know. It's one thing to take this 'I'm a batshit crazy Narvidian infestation inhabiting a human body' as an act to keep some of your twisted craziness properly directed but ... Rabid .... Why the heck are you bouncing that thing on your knee as if it was alive?"

The Mad Rabbit blinked slowly at Crush. He scowled and focused his attention on Snookums. The broken floppy doll with shredded rabbit ears looked deplorable, coated in fluids from one too many chainsaw bloodbaths. "Don't pay attention to uncle Crushy. He didn't mean it. You're a good baby! Kooshy kooshy koo!"

"That's just wrong." Crush laughed.

Rabid Rabbit cleared his throat and mock glared at his 'brother', "It is not wrong. We judge what is moral based on what we've been taught from our parents, elders, and community." The Mad Rabbit squeezed Snookums. Squeaky! "See? He's learning so much!"

"Yeah. Uhu. You just like scaring the living 'cojones' out of the crew."

The Mad Rabbit looked about at the pirate crew who sat VERY far away from their table. He grinned at Crush, "Kooshy kooshy koo!"

rabid

[ntsheep]

The ripples through space and time that 13 has touch spread far and wide. His legacy will always live on.

[rabidbite]

Feb 12, 2015 15:56:10 GMT -5 ntsheep said:

Thanks En1gma, just wanted to show that even though most think of sheep as followers, we can think for ourselves. Even the craziest of us

I've never gotten a sheep to follow me anywhere, let alone do what I want it to do without fences and loud noises.


rabid

[dayan]

Feb 19, 2015 7:19:23 GMT -5 rabidbite said:

Feb 12, 2015 15:56:10 GMT -5 ntsheep said:

Thanks En1gma, just wanted to show that even though most think of sheep as followers, we can think for ourselves. Even the craziest of us

I've never gotten a sheep to follow me anywhere, let alone do what I want it to do without fences and loud noises.


rabid

[ntsheep]

I wanted to add this earlier today but took my time because of other things. This morning my youngest nephew, 6, was playing with his grandfathers Android phone. He was using one of those talking cat apps, Angela I think, it repeats what it hears and I over heard this conversation he had,

“What's your name?” nephew.

“What's your name?” phone.

“Angela.” nephew.

“Angela.” phone.

“What color is the sky?” nephew.

“What color is the sky?” phone.

“Blue.” nephew.

“Blue.” phone.

“What's the opposite of down?” nephew.

“What's the opposite of down?” phone.

“Up.” nephew.

“Up.” phone.

“Ha ha! You just said Angel blue up!” nephew laughing.

Phone in new voice,

“That was not polite.”


Our phones have better morals than us now lol.

[ntsheep]

Thought this thread could use a bump. Read carefully and just relax. Simple insight and reflection can provide clarity. Or maybe it'll provide a good laugh and brighten your day.

[mandomaniac]

Having seen and read this thread I must say I am somewhat disappointed... knowing the people here and what little I know of the Cerberus story I was legitimately expecting this to be about a fork, like a dinner fork imbued with morality or something. Maybe we should ask the TBs to make that a HoS item dedicated to this thread: "The Fork of Morality" legend has it it was once owned by a three-headed dog

[ntsheep]

That's a good one mandomaniac. rabidbite would be proud. This was an old conversation that after reading through again, I thought that maybe it could use some attention giving the current state of things in the world. It's fitting that this started in a thread dedicated to a crazy life form and it's adventures. In some ways one could argue, 13 is the most moral of us all.

[dayan]

Holy Threadnomancy Batman

[ntsheep]

Just doing my job dayan. I am the forum scribe. I must remember and search for the forgotten and bring it to the light. I show the way to those who are new and wish to see what was. I graze peacefully while watching all that surrounds me. Digisheep are strangely wonderful and wonderfully strange creatures.